"Every day is Earth Day at Felix Neck," explains Justen Walker, Education Coordinator at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. And while this 250-acre Edgartown preserve depends on volunteers year-round, Earth Day is marked by the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Work For Wildlife Day, with a special trio of activities created specifically to involve Island residents in Felix Neck's fragile ecosystem.
Volunteer Robin Bray, a member of Felix Neck's Sanctuary committee. Photos courtesy of Justen Walker
On Saturday, April 25, adults and children are invited to participate in Felix Neck's Metamorphosis of Our Butterfly Garden, Bittersweet Blues, and Picnic Table Palooza programs from 9 am to 12 noon. Volunteers will help plant species that attract butterflies, remove invasive plants that threaten native species, and build picnic tables for visitors and campers. Participants will be rewarded for their efforts with a free barbecue lunch.
According to Felix Neck Director Suzan Bellincampi, the Felix Neck Earth Day-inspired programs are designed to protect native species and habitats of the Vineyard, as well as to attract Island residents to conservation activities. "Our programs are created to get people involved," she says. "We try to teach them how to achieve success in an environmental program here at Felix Neck so that they'll be more likely to take the lessons home and try their own projects. In order to conserve, you have to have experienced successes."
Regular volunteer Steve Auerbach is currently working to revamp the butterfly garden at Felix Neck.
Felix Neck's Work for Wildlife Day is part of the third annual statewide Earth Day celebration sponsored by Mass Audubon, the largest conservation organization in New England. Felix Neck's activities have been developed to address the specific needs of the Martha's Vineyard sanctuary. It is comprised of four miles of trails, woodlands, meadows, ponds, salt marsh, and barrier beach.
According to Ms. Bellincampi, more of Felix Neck's current programs involve land use history than in the past. "We have a rich history that we want to share with our visitors and volunteers. Our land was farmed by the Smith family for over 300 years before it became a sanctuary," she explains. In addition to creating new tours and programs, Ms. Bellincampi says that the sanctuary is seeking more partnerships with other environmental organizations both on Martha's Vineyard and off in order to expand its research and educational capabilities.
"All of our volunteer activities are designed to enhance people's enjoyment of nature and to try to inspire them to care for it," says Ms. Walker. "People need to understand and enjoy nature before they can get motivated to give back."
But give back they do, and in greater numbers each year. Ms. Bellincampi reports that in the two and one half years since she's been director, volunteers have increased, as have the number of visitors during the warmer months.
"We see more people as we offer more unique experiences," Ms. Bellincampi, adding, "I think that, as a community, the Vineyard is moving toward a great interest in sustainability and a recalibration of how we live. I definitely perceive a trend toward thoughtful environmentalism on Martha's Vineyard."
Volunteers, both adults and teens, are trained to give tours and to gather data for environmental research studies. No experience is necessary. All that's required, according to Ms. Bellincampi, is a "love of place, nature, and people."
Experts explain why
What's the most compelling reason for Island residents to get involved in preserving our natural habitat?
Brendan O'Neill, Executive Director, Vineyard Conservation Society:
"If we don't care about where we live and how we live, our kids and grandkids will pay the price. A lot is at stake. We all need to get involved now to start changing behaviors that are damaging the natural systems upon which we all depend. We are surrounded by water, so we will have firsthand experience with the effects of a changing climate, including increased coastal erosion, inundation of wetlands and loss of some of our familiar species. Within the next three decades, Martha's Vineyard will have a climate similar to that of the Carolinas."
Adam Moore, Executive Director, Sheriff's Meadow Foundation:
"I would encourage everyone to walk any of our properties and see what we've conserved on Martha's Vineyard. It instills a sense of stewardship and leaves such a feeling of inspiration that it motivates you to do more. I also listen to my children. They seem to recognize the immediacy of our conservation issues and the fragility of our environment. It's more in their consciousness."
Matthew Dix, Conservation Lands Foreman, Martha's Vineyard Land Bank Commission:
"People who attended the annual Earth Day Beach Clean-Up, sponsored by the Vineyard Conservation Society, saw tangible evidence of how much garbage is floating in our ocean. People can physically see pounds of trash - fast food containers, plastic bags, balloons, convenience store products - and the impact it has. It's great for kids - they get the point."
Felix Neck's Work for Wildlife, 9 am-12 noon, Saturday, April 25, For more information or to register, call 508-627-4850 or visit massaudubon.org.
Karla Araujo is a frequent contributor to The Martha's Vineyard Times.
